Page 72 of Semper
His eyes flicked toward me briefly, a mischievous smile pulling at the corner of his lips. “For dessert,” he said, his voice casual, “and a surprise.”
The thought of something more after the conversation about Anya was unsettling. But I didn’t push him. I kept my eyes on the road, watching the moonlight dance across the water beside us. The night felt darker, the air around us more secretive, as though the Isle itself was shrouded in mystery. After a while, we reached two sprawling estates, each one mirroring the other in size and grandeur, standing like sentinels along the coast.
Their presence alone was intimidating, a testament to the wealth and power that came with being part of the Impío faith. Even in the dark, they loomed above us, steeped in an old, almost ancestral importance. We turned into the driveway of the slightly larger estate, parking behind another flashy car that was already there. The house towered over us; its sharp architecture softened only by the subtle lighting coming from inside.
It reminded me of our own home, secluded and wrapped in luxury, but there was something different here, more personal. I knew instinctively that this place held history for Alexander. The air was heavy with it. He cut the engine and stepped out, coming around to my side and opening my door, as always. I blinked, taking in the massive house, feeling the cool night air rush over my skin as I stepped out.
The smell of the lake was stronger here, mingling with the earthy scent of the trees that surrounded us.
“Where are we?” I asked again, my voice quieter this time, uncertain.
He smirked down at me, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “My parents’,” he said with a knowing smile, clearly anticipating my reaction.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.His parents?My mind raced. I had already met his father—the man gave new meaning to the wordintense. He had a presence that filled the room, a cold, calculating authority that left no room for doubt. His mother, however, was like a ghost. Always mentioned andnever seen. A figure I had imagined but hadn’t met, a woman whose influence was undeniable, yet whose face had remained hidden from me.
I stared at him. “Your parents?”
His smirk deepened, enjoying my surprise. “Yes,deliciae. My parents.”
I had never really thought about what meeting them would be like. His father’s intensity had been daunting enough, but the thought of meeting the woman who had shaped Alexander into the man he was now...
My mind raced with questions—what was she like? Did she know everything? Would she approve of me? Alexander sensed my rising anxiety because he stepped closer, his hand brushing gently down my arm before resting at the small of my back. The warmth of his touch steadied me, grounding me in the moment.
“Relax,” he murmured, his voice low and reassuring. “I was meant to bring you here weeks ago for brunch. They’ve been waiting to meet you.”
The idea that they had beenwaitingfor me didn’t help.
He kissed my temple lightly, his lips warm against the cool night air. “Come on, you’ll be fine.”
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves as we began walking toward the grand entrance The massive double doors swung open before we could even reach them, revealing a figure I recognized instantly—Bishop. He greeted us with a wide, charming smile that threw me off guard, as if we’d known each other for years, despite our few brief encounters. He held up a large glass, clearly already a few drinks deep.
"Finally!" Bishop exclaimed, his grin growing wider. "I'm on my third glass already."
I blinked, momentarily surprised by how at ease he seemed. He had always behaved as though we were old friends whenever we crossed paths. The charm and the raw magnetism he carriedwas undeniable—dark chestnut-hued hair styled as though he'd just run his hands through it, and those deep hazel eyes, glinting with a playful mischief that could be dangerous if you didn’t know better.
From behind him came Esther’s voice, breaking the moment. “No one told you to start getting tipsy,” she said, shoving him aside with a playful push, making him laugh. The sound was deep and contagious. He stepped back easily, giving her the floor.
"Lo," Esther greeted me warmly, her happiness at seeing me radiating off her.
Alexander raised an eyebrow, looking mock offended. “Do I not exist?”
Esther grinned up at him, giving him a one-sided hug. “Alex,” she said in a teasing tone, clearly in a good mood. He pulled her in for a proper hug as we stepped inside the grand foyer of the estate, the atmosphere immediately warmer than I had expected.
As we walked in, I took a second to glance at Bishop. There was something about his easygoing demeanor, the lopsided smile that always seemed to linger on his lips, which made him approachable—even in this intimidating setting.
His sharp cheekbones and squared jaw gave him a striking, almost dangerous look, but the sparkle in his eyes and that ever-present stubble softened the effect, giving him a roguish, playful air. We stepped further inside, and the grandeur of the home unfolded before me. Dark, rich wood adorned the walls, with intricate carvings that added to the overall opulence. It was a space filled with history and power, but there was a warmth there too, something familial that made me feel like I was stepping into more than just a house—it was their sanctuary.
As Alexander and Esther continued talking, I couldn’t help but observe how easily they fit together, how their interactionsflowed with a natural, effortless grace. The bond between them was undeniable, a deep-rooted connection that hinted at years of shared experiences and trust. It left me feeling as if I were slowly being woven into something beyond my understanding.
Bishop caught my eye again, his lopsided grin still firmly in place, like he was already in on some private joke. “You ready for the madness?” he teased, raising his glass in my direction.
I wasn’t sure if he was referring to the evening ahead or something more sinister. The glint in his eyes told me it didn’t matter—whatever it was, I was already in it. The game, whatever it was, had already begun, and I was just starting to understand the rules. Before I could respond, Emilio appeared from around a corner, his smile just as friendly and disarming as always.
Without warning, he pulled me into a hug, catching me completely off guard. I stood there stiff as a board, unsure how to respond. His laugh echoed through the room. “The Devil, Alex,” he teased, “did you tell her she couldn’t even hug her family?”
Alexander chuckled, pulling me back to his side, his arm wrapping possessively around my waist.
“I didn’t tell her anything of the sort. She’s just a good girl,” he said, his voice low, filled with that familiar, dangerous edge.